In each case, the maker had cut costs by not providing a Windows installation disc, which would let the owner boot from Windows disc and then run Repair. The only option was to restore the PC to its original state and lose all data.

When I went recently to PC World to help someone buy a laptop, not one came with a Windows installation disc – which is ridiculous!

I opened up each corrupt PC, removed the hard drive and connected it to my Windows 7 PC with an off-the-shelf IDE-to-USB adaptor. Both the failed PCs had been protected by a Windows administrator password. But in each case, the USB adaptor read the reclaimed drive and displayed its contents.

Windows 7 offered no option to enter the passwords, which the owners had told me. Instead Windows variously warned: “You don’t currently have permission to access this folder… Click continue to permanently get access to this folder… You have been denied permission to access this folder… and You do not have permission to view or edit”.

But Windows then advised: “To gain access you will need to use the security tab”.

 

I am not a skilled hacker – and I was accessing the drives at their owners’ request – but it only took a little trial and error to find out how to read and copy the password-protected personal folders such as Documents and Settings, Application Data, Desktop and My Documents.

Here’s how. Right click on the protected folder, select Properties/Security tab/Advanced/Owner/Edit/Replace Owner on All Sub-containers and Folders. Then click on your own PC Owner name.

Up comes the option: “Do you want to replace Directory Permission granting you full control?” Click yes.

Hey presto, up comes a progress message “Changing Ownership” and after a short while everything that was password-protected can be read and copied.

 

I pass on this information not to help hackers and identity thieves – who will surely already be familiar with such security loopholes – but because it may help dealers save a customer’s data.

It also serves as a warning. If you are junking one of your own PCs, either fully format the hard drive, use a data-shredding program or physically smash it with a hammer.